Letting out a deep sigh, he rubbed his forehead where a small throb started. How could he go through with this? How could he sit back and watch men court Judith and not stop it? There had to be a way to numb his heart. By allowing her to marry a man who would truly love her, Trey was saving her from a lifetime of heartache if she married him. Yet, convincing his heart it was the right thing was harder than he thought.
From down the hallway, jovial voices rang through the corridor. Trey hurried to the door, anxiously waiting for Judith and Nic to arrive. When Trey noticed their expressions, his gut twisted. Judith sashayed in the drawing room holding on to Nic’s arm, both smiling wide as if they shared a delightful secret.
Balling his hands into fists, Trey shoved them behind his back before someone noticed. His mother beamed and motioned for them to come closer.
As they passed Trey, Judith’s gaze met his briefly, her eyes twinkling with merriment. In haste, he studied her face, but thankfully, her lips weren’t swollen from a lover’s kiss as they’d been last night before he had left her room. That relieved him slightly.
“How was your ride, my dear?” his mother asked.
Judith’s grin widened. “Absolutely wonderful.”
“I must say, the weather has been very accommodating of late,” the dowager replied.
Nic bent over Judith’s hand and kissed her gloved fingers. “Thank you for such an enjoyable afternoon.”
“The pleasure was all mine.” Judith winked.
Nic straightened and nodded to Trey and then the dowager. “Now, if you will excuse me, I have business to attend.”
Trey gnashed his teeth as his friend walked out the door, but what bothered him most was the dreamy-eyed stare on Judith’s face as she watched Hawthorne leave.
“Judith dear, come sit by me,” Trey’s mother said. “We need to go through these invitations and see which ones to accept.”
“Certainly, Your Grace.”
The giddy expression on Judith’s face was replaced and covered by a mask. The same mask he’d seen her wear whenever she was accommodating his mother. He knew it well since he’d worn it for many years. Pleasing his mother wasn’t only necessary for her health, but his as well, especially if he wanted her to stop nagging at him for every little thing.
What was the real purpose of pleasing women? In his mother’s circumstance, he did so because making her happy would pacify her curiosity and especially her harping. So, naturally, it was worth sugar-coating the truth just to see her smile.
What about Judith? What ways did he please her outside kissing her? Their conversations lately had been heated, and all he wanted to do was take her in his arms and keep her there. They’d gone on a few rides around the estate together, which he knew pleased her. But what else made her happy? He could tell she enjoyed playing him for a fool. He chuckled to himself. Oddly enough, it pleased him to make her laugh even when he was the target of humiliation.
Truth be told, he liked the way his heart raced whenever she was around. He enjoyed the way he could make her smile. And laugh. On occasions their conversations became heated, and yet little by little, he had come to enjoy talking with her no matter if it left him in a temper—or her.
Never before had he wanted to please a woman by just talking. Yet Judith was so very different. He wanted to do things that made her smile. Knowing firsthand how miserable life was when thinking about departed loved-ones, Trey wanted to make certain his Judith was smiling and laughing. He loved seeing her eyes light up with happiness…then darken with passion.
Was there more to their relationship? What were the things they had in common? True, they both loved roses. They both loved horses. But was there more?
Strange, but he didn’t know this answer. Perhaps he should spend a few days getting to know her better. After all, he couldn’t let his mother pick the right man for Judith, and how else could Trey pick the right man for her if he didn’t know what Judith liked?
His stomach churned and bile rose to his throat. He couldn’t even think about choosing her husband, but he was more qualified than his mother was. After all, he knew most of these gentlemen. He’d know if they would love his Judith the way she deserved.
Pain enclosed around his heart and squeezed. Hopefully, this ache in his chest would disappear very soon. He couldn’t become emotional at a time like this.
Chapter Thirty-Three
The ride toBond Street didn’t seem as long as when Judith had journeyed with the dowager the first time. Trey rode with them, which made her trip more enjoyable. With him in the vehicle, they had more topics to discuss. Trey’s sense of humor showed quite often, which kept Judith thoroughly entertained. When they arrived at the dress shop, Trey excused himself to attend to business.
Disappointment washed through Judith. No longer would she be able to lose herself in his adorable blue eyes.
Before he walked away, he kissed her knuckles while his gaze held hers. Warmth spread through her body until he withdrew, bowed, and sauntered up the street. If Isabelle hadn’t been standing beside her, Judith would have watched Trey until he disappeared. He was such a handsome man—inside and out.
Shaking herself out of dreamy thoughts, she turned and walked into the dress shop beside Isabelle. Her thoughts swam from the conversation she had had with Dominic yesterday. He admitted he knew she had feelings for Trey, and the marquess actually said he’d help her win Trey’s heart. What a good friend he was.
For the next three hours, Judith was prodded, poked, and measured. She couldn’t help but remember the last time she was here, and especially when she’d carelessly chased after Alex.
She frowned. Why had she been so gullible? And to think she would have waited for that man if the dowager hadn’t rescued her by bringing Judith to the estate. Yet, it was Trey who had truly been her rescuer.
Finally, she and the dowager walked out of the dress shop. Right away, they met with other women who strolled along the walk. Isabelle stopped to talk to her friends, and Judith smiled politely, only nodding when the occasion called for some kind of recognition.
